Wrap-around chain-driven cutters for removing bark from trees



Aprll 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007

' WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES FiledJune 8, 1953 6 Sheefcs-Sheet l INVENTOR.

H. SHUFF April 26, 1955 2, 70 7,00 7 WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERSFOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1953 w w R 0M 0 3 m M m5 7 April 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007 WRAP-AROUNDCHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES Filed June 8, 1953 6Sheets-Sheet 3 zz v INVENTOR. #aw/ .Sf/VFF BY A WTTOENEYS April 26, 1955H. SHUFF 2,707,007

WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 8, 1953 m 9 m R. m f W um m 74 @W I IHHI Hu WApril 26, 1955 H SHUFF 2,707,007 WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FORREMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 8, 1953 INVENTOR.190; SAM/FF BY W7 J Ari/L firm/m5 April 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007

WRAPAROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June a, '1953 ENTOR.

United States Patent WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARKFROM TREES Hugh Shutf, Qneonta, Ala.

8, 1953, Serial No. 360,233 8 Claims. (Cl. 144-408) Application JuneI'OITl trees,

he prime object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the characterdesignated embodying a flexible member carrying bark-engaging cutterstogether with means to wrap the flexible member at least partially aboutthe apparatus as a whole about the tree trunk and which also has clampmembers disposed to engage and clamp the tree when desired.

trolled by the operator, particularly when the machine is operated fromthe end of a boom of a crane or the like.

mounted on a supporting, articulated, guiding frame so as to wrappartially about the tree, thus to hug the tree, the chains carryingcutters which engage the bark and remove the same. for driving thechains and remaining mounted on a two-part housing, pivhas associatedtherewith means for opening and closing the same, thus permitting theapparatus to be placed about a tree. In order to guide hold the samecentered, I provide guide pparatus illustrating features of my inventionis shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this applicationin which:

Fig. l is a wholly diagrammatic side elevational view in tree engagingposition;

Fig. 4 IS a fragmental, enlarged side elevational view of the ap theupper portion of the apparatus, certain of the parts being broken awayand in section for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental plan view taken generally along theline VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. is a detail sectional view taken along lines VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken generally along the line VII-VIIof Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view looking in the direction of arrowsVIIIVIIl of Fig. 7;

X of ig. 2;

Fig. 9a represents an enlargement of Fig. 10 is X-X of Fig.

Fig. 10a is a detail sectional elevation taken generally along the lineXa-Xa of Fi 10;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the topping saw as viewed along arrows XIXI ofFig. 2; and,

Fig. 12 is a wholly diagrammatic bottom view of the wiring and piping.Reierring now to the drawings for a better understandmg 0 a portion ofFig. 9; a plan view taken generally along the line about the pivot point16.

With reference more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawing it will beseen that the apparatus comprises vertically staggered sets of cuttersindicated generally by the numerals 27 T 1e there are slight differenceswith respect to the paratus a description sufiice for all. Abovetheframe 10, Ward extension 28 of the yoke frame 14,

described, disposed to engage the trunk when the same to appear.

d on an upin a manner guide rollers 29' which are between them arebrought together in the manner later ments 31 disposed when broughtplained, to grip the tree trunk.

s best shown in Figs. 4 to 8, semblies 27 each embody a chain 32carrying vertically Patented Apr. 26,

39 which has keyed thereto a sprocket 41 over which the chain 38 passes.The shaft 39 pro ects upwardly and carries a gear 42 on the upper endthereof which is driven by an electric motor 43 through a pmlon 44. Thehollow shaft 39 is mounted in a suitable bearing 46 in turn mounted bymeans of a nut 47 into the lower wall 48 of the housing section 11.Surrounding the bear ng 46 is an outer sleeve 49, secured to the top ofa housing 50 enclosing the chain 38 and which is mounted for rotation ina bearing 51 carried on the end of a bracket 52. The bracket 52 in turnis supported by a depending column member 53 welded to the underside 48of the housing section 11.

Inside the hollow shaft 39 is a shaft 54 which carries at its upper enda pinion 56 in mesh with a rack 57 operated by the piston rod of apneumatic cylinder 58. On the lower end of shaft 54 is keyed a sprocket59 over which passes a sprocket chain 61. The sprocket chain in turnpasses over a sprocket 62 which is mounted on a shaft 36 which surroundsthe shaft 63.

Pivotally mounted to the column 53 as at 64 is a radius rod 66 in turnpivotally mounted at 67 to a member 68 disposed just above the sprocket34. Upstanding from the member 68 is a tubular member 70. Depending fromthe housing 50 which surrounds the chains 38 an 61 is a column member 71through which telescopes the member 70 and through which pass the hollowshaft 36 and shaft 63. A locking washer 71a holds the parts rotatablyassembled, see Fig. 6. The shaft 63 has secured at its lower end thesprocket 34 for driving chain 32, whereas shaft 36 has secured at itslower end a gear 69.

The supporting and guiding frame members for the chain 32 comprisevertically spaced frame members 72 having successive inner and outeroverlapping knuckles which are pivoted together as at 73 to adjacentsimilar members. These frame members are held together in verticallyaligned pairs by bolts 74 and nuts 76 therefor (see Fig. 7). However,each of said pairs is free to pivot as a unit relative to the next pairabout the pivot points 73.

Starting with the sprocket 34 and gear 69, the members 72 are providedwith gears 77 which decrease progressively in diameter outward towardthe idling sprocket 40. It will be noted that the gear 69 is in meshwith the first gear 77 and that the first gear 77 drives the followinggear 77 through a pinion 78. This arrangement continues, the gears 77driving the subsequent gears through the pinions 78 until, between thelast two members 72 the gear and pinion are substantially the samediameter. The members 72 may be provided with inward curved guideportions 79 over which the chain 32 slides when the cutter assembly 27is partially wrapped or curved about the trunk of the tree as will laterappear. Also, there may be flat guide portions 81 at the opposite side.To further guide the chain, the opposite ends the members 72 may havespaced inturned flanges 82. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the gears77 are each mounted between and made fast to the inner knuckles of thepivot portions 73 of the successive frame members 72. That is to say,gear 69 is carried by the shaft 36 and driven by the sprocket 62, chain61, sprocket 59, shaft 54, pinion 56 and rack 57. Rotation of gear 69therefore rotates gears 77 in mesh therewith, causing the successiveframe members 72 and hence the chain 32 to wrap about the tree T asindicated in dotted lines, Fig. 5. Due to the decrease in diameter ofthe gears 77 a small rotative movement of the gear 69 at the suspendedor right hand end of the assembly as viewed in Fig. 5, causes anincreasing rotative movement of the gears 77 toward the wrap-around orleft end, thus causing the apparatus to assume an arcuate form, wrappingabout the tree trunk. In this position, power from the motor 43 drivesthe chain 32, causing the cutters 33 to engage the bark of the tree. Itwill be noted that the cutters may be provided with serrated lower ends33a to facilitate the removal of limbs from the trunk of the tree as theapparatus is moved down the tree. The radius rod 66 holds the assemblyagainst rotating bodily, permitting the chain to wrap the trunk of thetree as indicated. While the elements of only one of the two lowercutter assemblies 27, and its associated supporting means and operatingmechanism, have been described, it should be noted that correspondingelements of either of the upper cutter assemblies 27 have beenidentified in the drawmg by corresponding numerals to which a prime has4 been added. (For example, in Fig. 9, note elements 43', 56', 57, and58'.)

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I show in diagrammatic manner one of the lowercutter elements 27 wrapped about the tree trunk T while the others havenot yet been moved to position. However, when the others are broughtinto working position it will be seen that substantially the entireperiphery of the tree is engaged.

During the operation of the apparatus guide rollers 29 are brought tobear against the sides of the tree trunk. This is accomplished by meansof a pneumatic cylinder 84 mounted on an outer extension 86 of theupward e xtension 28 which carries one of the rollers 29. The piston rod87 of the cylinder engages an extension 88 of a yoke 89 carrying theother roller 29. When the piston rod moves inwardly the rollers movetogether equally. This is accomplished by means of racks 91 and 92 onequalizing gear 93 placed therebetween.

Mounted on the yoke frame 14, in very similar manner to the rollers 29are the clamps 31. A pneumatic cylinder 94 is mounted on an extension 96carrying one of the clamps 31. The piston rod 97 of the cylinder 94 issecured to an extension 98 of a yoke carrying the other arm 31 of theclamp. When the piston rod moves inwardly the clamps move in together, acentering gear 99 engaging racks 101 and 102 on the yokes on which theclamps 31v are mounted.

Also mounted on the yoke frame 14 is an electric motor 103. Pivotallymounted on top of the motor is a swing arm 104 which carries a chainhousing 106. On the outer end of the arm 104 is a saw 107. A chain 108,driven by a sprocket 109 on the motor drives a sprocket 111 on avertical shaft 112 carrying the saw 107. The saw may be pivoted bv meansof a pneumatic cylinder 113, pivotally mounted as at 114 to a suitableportion of the frame structure. It may be swung into position to cut thetop of the tree, or, to top the tree.

As before stated 27 are shorter in length than 27. Further, the cutterassemblies are placed apart as clearly indicated in Fig. 3 of thedrawing. Therefore, the housing sections 11 and 12 each carry one of thelong band cutter assemblies 27 and one of the upper, shorter ones 27. Itwill be noted that if the two upper assemblies 27 are brought to bearagainst the tree and wrap thereabout when the diameter of the tree issmall, they would interfere with each other. However, the lowermostcutter assemblies 27 can be brought to beat at any time withoutinterfering either with each other or with the upper, shorter cutterassemblies 27'.

The housing sections 11 and 12, with respect to opening and closingmovement, are under control of a hydraulic cylinder 116 having a pistonrod 117 to which is pivotally connected links 118 and 119, connected tothe housing sections 11 and 12 outwardly of the pivot point 13. When airunder pressure is admitted to the closed end of the cylinder 116 theoutward motion of the links opens the housing sections 11 and 12 wherebythe apparatus may be placed about the tree.

The control means for bringing the several cutter assemblies intocontact with the tree and for curving the same thereabout will now bedescribed. Mounted on bearings 121 in the split housing, for slidingmovement therethrough, are lower and upper control rings 122 and 123,respectively. The rings are connected adjacent their centers by means oflengths of chain 124, permitting the housing to open as alreadyexplained. Depending from an offset lug on the ring 122 are pins 126which project through slots 127 in the lower wall 48 of the housingsection, see Figs. 4 and 9. Connected to the lower end of the pins 126are arms 128 which are pivotally connected at 129 to an arm 131 fast onthe cylindrical upstanding member 49 carried by the housing 50. The pins126 on the lower ring 122 therefore control the lowermost cutterassemblies 27 and are effective, when the ring 122 shifts as will beexplained, to pivot the housing 50 and, through the radius rod 66 andthe connection 71, to bring the cutter assemblies into contact with theside of the tree.

The ring 122 is under control of a cylinder 132, the piston rod 133thereof being pivotally connected as at 134 to a bracket 136 carried onthe side of the lower ring 122.

In quite similar manner the upper ring 123 is controlled by an aircylinder 137 pivotally connected as at 138 to a bracket 139 on the upperring 123. Depending from an offset lug on the upper ring are pins 141,like after the bark is removed and without permitting in all respectsidentical with the pins 126 and which are the tree to fall on theground, the apparatus is moved identically connected through armssimilar to 128 and substantially to the vertical center of the tree andthe 131 to move the upper pairs of cutters against the side clamps 31are brought together. The tree may now be of the tree as will appear.sawed off at its base and, using the device as a clamping The lower ring122 is biased against a stop 142 by tool, the tree may be loaded ontothe trailer without means of a spring 143. Similarly, the ring 123 isbiased felling the tree.

by means of a spring 144 against the same stop. The op- It will be notedthat when the cylinder 116 has moved era ion of the pneumatic means isunder control of a the links 118 and 119 inwardly to the position shownin safety valve 146 located adjacent the pivotal connection Fig. 9 thehousings are effectively locked due to the togo t e housings When thehousing is closed an arm 147 gle action Furthermore, in the operation ofthe ap amounted on the link 119 opens the valve 146 readying ratus 1tw1ll be apparent that the two uppermost cutter the pneumatic means foroperation assemblies 27' are brought into place only after the low- Airunder pressure may be supplied through a line 150 ermost cutterassemblies 27, which are the longer ones,

(see Fig. 12) through the valve 146, when open, to a 15 thus assuringthat subs n lly all of the Periphery of solenoid operated valve 148. Thevalve 148 may be the tree trunk 18 operated P y the cutters 33 and undercontrol of an electric switch 149 located in the From the o g g it Willbe apparent that I have cab of the crane or at any other suitable place.As In ent d an Improved apparatus for operating upon best shown in Fig.12 air under pressure is supplied, eurYed Surfaces Particularly treetrunks and h l kewhen valve 148 is open, to cylinder 132 through lineWhile I have shown and described my improved appa- 5 Lik i opening fvalves 146 nd 148 i ulratus as embodied in mechanism for barkingstanding taneously supplies air under pressure to the cylinders 58 t Itw be pp that the Same finds application controlling the wrapping actionof the lowermost cutter In other lnstanees- Thus, it y be desired to ust e bli Th h b th valves 146 a d 148 r same to operate upon curved metalsurfaces, for finishopen, the two lowermost cutter assemblies 27 are lngWood or Inetal- Various other uses will Suggest brought to bear againstthe tree trunk and, under the inthemselves to those skilled in the art.Therefore, in the fina e of h li d 58 connected th i h are appended clams the invention intended to be covered is wrapped about the tree andheld resiliently thereabout. th t c ion embodying the flexible memberscarryor reverse operation, valve 148 may be actuated so that e workingtools together With m ans to cause the fluid under pressure from theline 151 may be admitted fieXlble members to assume the general Shape ofthe simultaneously h h li 152 to th other d f 4. curved surface It willalso be apparent that it is possilnder 132 and through line 153 to theother end of each ble that my Improved apparatus Could operate p a ofthe cylinders 58. concave as well as a convex surface.

The lowermost ring 122 is provided with a notch 154. While I h Shown yinvention n but one form it Located near the notch 154 is a valve 156 towhich is will, e obvloue to those Skilled It! the art that it 18 notconnected air lines 157 (see i 12 which lead to the so limited, but issusceptible of various changes and modicylinders 58' and 137 controllingthe uppermost cutter ficatlons without departing from the functionthereof, assemblies 27. Disposed to ride against the ring 122 i and Idesire, therefore, that only such limitations shall a spring biased pawl157a pivotally mounted on the end be Placed thereupon as areSpecifically Set o h in the of an arm 158 which controls the opening andclosing appended r movement of the valve 156. In igs. 9 and 9a, valvehat I clann IS 156 is shown closed and when, under the influence of Inapparatus r barking trees and the like, a fl i l cylinder 132, the notch154 in the lower ring has traveled Inern er, bar engaglng cutters on thefieXible member, a 1n the dlrCCtlOn 0f the arrow 159 to Its dotted llneosiserles of q u plvotally connected members ption (which corresponds toa relatively small diameter Po and gurdlng the fieXlble member, means toP tree trunk), valve 156 remains closed, but as the apparaally rotatesaid members relative to each other and tus moves down the tree trunk,the increasing diameter thereby eaue the fi ble member to curve about anof the tree trunk causes the swingable end of the housal'cuate Portionof a trunk of a tree, and means to drive ing represents thecutter-assembbnsupp rting the flexible member while it IS in positionabout a tree end, to swing radially outward from the axis of the tree 50thereby Causing the cutters to engage and move the to thus partiallyrotate sleeve 49 and arm 131 (see Fig. bark- 4), which in turn shovesarm 128 and ring 122 in a di- In apparatus for barking trees and thelike, a fi rection opposite to the arrow 159, until notch 154 enlblernernber, bark-engaging Cutters on he flexible memgages l 157 to Swingth l d h arm 153 to ber, a series of sequentially pivotally connectedmemtheir dotted line positions, at which time valve 156 is bars PP andguiding the tlexlblelntember, interopened, thereby energizing thecylinders 58' and the cylmeshlng gear? on Said pivotally conneetedmembers, a iuder 137 controlling the operation of the two upperrive gearad acent one end of the flexible member and most cutter assemblies 27.The valve 156 may be prorneshlng one of Said intermeshing gears, means totate vided with a spring-biased holding pawl 161 whi h the drive gearand thereby cause the pivotally connected erates against a fan-shapedextension 162 of the valve 0 members hence the flexible member to pabout an arm 158 thus to hold the valve 156 open until the notch alcuatePortion of a trunk of a tree, and means to drive 154 of the control ring122 moves again to its solid line the eXlble Inernber whlle wlappedabout a t e t unk position, at which time pawl 161 drops into the notchwhereby the Cutters engage and m e the bark there 1 4 to release theextension 162 so that the spring which rornbiases the pawl 157a can thenreturn the valve arm 158 Apparatus as defined in Claim 2 in which theeffective to i 1 1 i iti I wj b apparent f diameters of the intermeshinggears successively decrease what has ust been said that m the initialoperation of from e drlve gear outwardly thereof whereby the theapparatus the longer, lowermost pairs of cutters 27 respondlng framernernbers Pivot through progressively are first wrapped about the smalldiameter top of the greater ares outwardly of the drive g tree and themachine is moved downwardly towards the 7 PP for operating p the n eSurface of larger bottom trunk p0rt1on. At the proper ti h a cylindricalbody or the like comprising an endless chain,

valve 156 opens and swings the uppermost cutters into driving and idlingSprockets over ch the chain is contact with the tree through thecylinder 137 nd itrained, a series of sequentially pivotally connectedframe multaneously commences the wrapping of the h i f members extendingbetween the sprockets and on inner t e uppermost cutters about the treetrunk. If desired, and outer ones of which frame rnernberS S driving andsuitable delay apparatus may be interposed 1n the lines idling Sprocketsrespectively are Supported for tati n so that the cylinders 58 and 58'are slightly delayed in means suppor ting the innermost of said framemembers, t err operation, thus assuring that the cylinders 132 and meansassociated with said frame members effective to 1 Eng the suspended endsof the cutter chains into rotate them relative to each other and thuswrap the contact with the tree prior to commencing of the wrapchain atleast partially about a rounded surface, and pmg action. Once thecutters are engaged the individual means to rotate the drive sprocketthereby causing the motors 43 and 43' may be operated by means ofswitches working tools to engage a rounded surface.

162a which may be located in the cab of the crane or in 5. In apparatusfor working upon a curved surface, an any other desired position.endless chain, working tools on the periphery of the If it is desired toload the tree onto a trailer or the chain, a series of sequentiallypivotally connected frame members supporting the chain for travel, gearsbetween the pivoted frame members for controlling the relative angularrelationship therebetween, means to rotate one of said gears thereby toconform the cha1n to the general curvature of a curved surface, andmeans to drive the chain while in said curved position.

6. In apparatus for removing bark from tree trunks and similar objects,a two-part annular frame pivoted together for placement about a treetrunk, a plurality of bark removing cutter units supported from theframe each of which comprises an endless sprocket chain, bark-removingcutters on the periphery of the chain, means mounting the cutter unitsfor partial wrapping about a tree trunk, means holding the chainsresiliently wrapped about a tree trunk, means to drive each chain whilewrapped about a tree trunk, and means to move the apparatus along a treetrunk.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 embodying guide means engageable witha tree trunk and effective to hold the frame substantially centeredrelative to a tree trunk as the apparatus moves thereon.

8. Tree-barking apparatus of the character described embodying atwo-part annular housing with the parts hinged together, at least a pairof bark-removing assemblies spaced below the housing and spacedvertically relative to each other and each of which comprises an endlesssprocket chain, sprockets over which the chain is trained, bark-engagingcutters on the periphery of the chain, a pivotally articulated framehaving end and intermediate sections, means mounting the sprockets onthe end sections of said articulated frame, gears on said end andintermediate frame sections controlling the angular relationship of thesame relative to each other, means to drive one of said sprockets, meansto rotate one of said gears and thereby cause the articulated framesections and hence the frame to wrap about an arcuate portion of a trunkof a tree, and means to move the apparatus along a tree trunk whilewrapped thereabout.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

